Monday, February 21, 2011

Bryan Cox joins Dolphins' staff as pass rush coach

The Miami Dolphins have created a whole new position on their coaching staff for a former player of the team, adding Bryan Cox as the team's "pass rush coach."

A fifth-round linebacker selected by the Dolphins in 1991 out of Western Illinois, Cox was selected to three Pro Bowls in five seasons with the Dolphins, including a 14-sack performance in 1992. Cox also played for the Bears (1996-97), New York Jets (1998-2000), New England Patriots (2001) and New Orleans Saints (2002), finishing his career with 938 tackles, 51.5 sacks, 22 forced fumbles, 14 fumble recoveries, four interceptions, one touchdown and one safety.

After serving briefly as a TV analyst, Cox joined Eric Mangini's staff with the New York Jets as the assistant defensive line coach. The two previously spent time together in both New York and New England, when Cox was a player and Mangini an assistant coach.

After three seasons with the Jets, Cox followed Mangini to the Cleveland Browns, where he spent two seasons as the team's defensive line coach before Mangini and his staff were let go following the 2010 season.

It's probably not coincidence that Cox joins new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll as two former Mangini assistants to land in Miami, as the former Jets and Browns head coach was consulting for the Dolphins last month.

Analysis

One of the most colorful and controversial figures in his time with the Dolphins, Cox was a fan favorite as a player in Miami and is a nice addition to Tony Sparano's staff for 2011.

In the all-new capacity of "pass rush coach," I imagine Cox will work primarily with the outside linebackers, but will also assist Bill Sheridan with the entire linebacker unit as well as Kacy Rodgers with the defensive line.

Interestingly, Cox's coaching experience to date doesn't have much connection to rushing the passer, as he has served a defensive line assistant for teams running the 3-4 scheme. In the 3-4, it is the outside linebackers, and not the defensive linemen, that are primarily tasked with rushing the passer.

Nevertheless, It's nice to have a third guy to assist in coaching the Dolphins' front seven, and Cox certainly has a worthy resume from his time as both a player and coach from the Bill Parcells tree.

In particular, defensive ends like Kendall Langford and Jared Odrick should benefit from his addition, as will Cameron Wake, Koa Misi, and any other outside linebackers the team brings on board.